October 26, 2010

A Sensational Marriage in 1891

On April 22, 1891, the Cherokee Advocate at Tahlequah, Indian Territory, published the following short note about a hastily arranged marriage across the border from Arkansas.

"Quite a sensational marriage occured [sic] in our usually quiet city on Wednesday morning, the contracting parties were Mr. J.A. Arnet of Fayetteville, Ark., and Miss Alice Fancher, of Berryville, Ark. It seems that it was extreme circumstances at home compelled them to come abroad in order that the marriage vows might be solemized [sic]. Miss Fancher is the beautiful seventeen year old daughter of a prominent merchant in Berryville, while Mr. Arnet is a prominent young business man at Fayetteville; the happy couple returned to implore the forgiveness [of] their angry parents."

The first history of the University of Arkansas included more than a dozen photos of the campus as it appeared just after the turn of the century. Most of the buildings are no longer standing, and nearly all of those that do remain are used in new capacities.